A look back: No. 7 and No. 18 picks
February, 19, 2010
2/19/10
11:00
AM ET
By
James Walker | ESPN.com
Sometimes you have to look at the past to get a glimpse of the future.
The Cleveland Browns (No. 7) and Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 18) have the first two draft picks in the AFC North this year. But that doesn't always guarantee they will get the best players.
Here is a look at past picks taken in the same slots Cleveland and Pittsburgh hold this year:
Recent No. 7 overall picks
2009: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Oakland Raiders
2008: Sedrick Ellis, DT, New Orleans Saints
2007: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
2006: Michael Huff, S, Oakland Raiders
2005: Troy Williamson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Analysis: Looking at these picks, Cleveland needs to be careful. The Browns could get a franchise player (Peterson) to take them to the next level at No. 7 or a complete bust (Williamson) to hold the franchise back. Ellis and Huff have been starters, but are far from Pro Bowlers, which is what you want this high in the draft. There is already talk of Heyward-Bey being a bust after an uninspiring rookie season, but he deserves more time. The biggest risk is the Browns will pay the No. 7 overall pick like a franchise player, regardless of how it turns out. Heyward-Bey reportedly signed a $38.25 million contract with at least $23.5 million guaranteed in 2009.
Recent No. 18 overall picks
2009: Robert Ayers, LB, Denver Broncos
2008: Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
2007: Leon Hall, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
2006: Bobby Carpenter, LB, Dallas Cowboys
2005: Erasmus James, DE, Minnesota Vikings
Analysis: This slot has been very kind to the AFC North. Hall and Flacco are two very good picks at No. 18. Hall is one of the top cornerbacks in the division and a steady force with the Bengals, while Flacco already has led the Ravens to back-to-back playoff appearances. Ayers recorded 19 tackles in his rookie year and it's too early to judge. Carpenter and James haven't worked out for Dallas and Minnesota, respectively. But two solid players and one undecided pick isn't a bad success rate for where the Steelers are drafting this year.
The Cleveland Browns (No. 7) and Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 18) have the first two draft picks in the AFC North this year. But that doesn't always guarantee they will get the best players.
Here is a look at past picks taken in the same slots Cleveland and Pittsburgh hold this year:
Recent No. 7 overall picks
2009: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Oakland Raiders
2008: Sedrick Ellis, DT, New Orleans Saints
2007: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
2006: Michael Huff, S, Oakland Raiders
2005: Troy Williamson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Analysis: Looking at these picks, Cleveland needs to be careful. The Browns could get a franchise player (Peterson) to take them to the next level at No. 7 or a complete bust (Williamson) to hold the franchise back. Ellis and Huff have been starters, but are far from Pro Bowlers, which is what you want this high in the draft. There is already talk of Heyward-Bey being a bust after an uninspiring rookie season, but he deserves more time. The biggest risk is the Browns will pay the No. 7 overall pick like a franchise player, regardless of how it turns out. Heyward-Bey reportedly signed a $38.25 million contract with at least $23.5 million guaranteed in 2009.
Recent No. 18 overall picks
2009: Robert Ayers, LB, Denver Broncos
2008: Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
2007: Leon Hall, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
2006: Bobby Carpenter, LB, Dallas Cowboys
2005: Erasmus James, DE, Minnesota Vikings
Analysis: This slot has been very kind to the AFC North. Hall and Flacco are two very good picks at No. 18. Hall is one of the top cornerbacks in the division and a steady force with the Bengals, while Flacco already has led the Ravens to back-to-back playoff appearances. Ayers recorded 19 tackles in his rookie year and it's too early to judge. Carpenter and James haven't worked out for Dallas and Minnesota, respectively. But two solid players and one undecided pick isn't a bad success rate for where the Steelers are drafting this year.
James Walker | email
NFL- ESPN AFC East Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2008
- A Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jamison Hensley
Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife.
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